Maharashtra government grants Eid-e-Milad holiday on Friday

Eknath Shinde/ File Photo/PTI

The Maharashtra government has heeded the request of Muslim leaders and declared September 29 as a holiday in observance of Eid-e-Milad. This year, a unique coincidence occurs as Anant Chaturdashi, marking the final day of the Ganesh festival, falls on September 28, coinciding with the celebration of Eid-e-Milad, which commemorates the birth of Prophet Muhammad.

Given the significance of processions during both Anant Chaturdashi and Eid-e-Milad in Mumbai and other regions, a delegation from All India Khilafat approached Chief Minister Eknath Shinde to address the situation, stated a PTI report.

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The delegation earnestly requested that September 29, a Friday, be designated as a holiday to facilitate proper arrangements by the police for processions on both September 28 and 29. The state government, in response to this appeal, has chosen to announce a government holiday on Friday as well, as confirmed by Chief Minister Shinde.

"The delegation has requested that a holiday be declared on Friday, September 29, so that the police can make arrangements for the processions on both days (September 28 and 29). The state government has decided to announce a government holiday on Friday as well," the report cited CM Shinde's statement.

This announcement results in two consecutive state holidays on Thursday and Friday, followed by the weekend, culminating with the national holiday on October 2, marking Mahatma Gandhi's birth anniversary.

Previously, the Muslim community in the Palghar district decided to defer their Eid processions by a day to ensure peaceful Ganesh immersion processions.

The Superintendent of Police (SP) of Palghar, Balasaheb Patil, revealed that a meeting was held between police personnel and Muslim organisations due to overlapping festivals. Considering the situation, the Muslim representatives decided to postpone their processions to September 29.

Palghar was to see 371 'sarvajanik' mandals and 804 housing societies holding Ganesh idol immersion processions with 25 processions for Eid.

Patil hailed this decision as a significant gesture of peace and brotherhood between the two communities. This decision is not only inspirational but also aids in maintaining law and order while reducing pressure on the police force, he added. "In view of this situation, a meeting of the trustees of mosques and some prominent Muslim citizens was held in Palghar, during which the Muslim representatives decided to take out the Eid-e-Milad processions the next day on September 29," Patil said in the statement, according to the PTI report. He also noted that they will present an award for model procession during Eid beginning this year.

With PTI inputs